SEARCH FOR TRIPS

Patagonia.
Torres Del Paine Base Camp Trek

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival In Santiago, City Tour

Early morning airport reception in Santiago and transfer to the Hotel Rugendas. In the afternoon take a historic tour of Santiago including the Presidential Palace once the National Mint and thus called "La Moneda", the historic main square or "Plaza de Armas", the Cathedral, the National History Museum, and "Casa Colorado" the historic residence of the Governor. Continue on to Santa Lucia the hill upon which the Spanish founded Santiago in 1541. Overnight at the Hotel Rugendas.

Day 2 (Monday): Torres Del Paine National Park

Transfer out for early morning flight to Punta Arenas, Patagonia. Airport reception and travel north through the vast Patagonian "pampa" to Puerto Natales, following the coastal route along the Straits of Magellan in Tierra del Fuego (256km/160 miles/3 hrs). After lunch in Puerto Natales, continue into Torres del Paine National Park (246 km/153 miles/ 2 hrs), stopping at the Milodon Cave where the remains of a giant prehistoric sloth were discovered. Arrive at the EcoCamp, located in the heart of the National Park and enjoy dinner under the southern constellations. Overnight in Standard Domes at EcoCamp Patagonia.

*An afternoon transfer from Punta Arenas to Torres del Paine is also available though this eliminates lunch in Puerto Natales and the visit to the Milodon Caves. Flights must arrive in Punta Arenas by 11:30 AM or 3:30 PM to take advantage of included group transfers.

Day 3 (Tuesday): Los Cuernos Trail

Hiking: 5 hours/7.5 miles
Today's trek parallels sparkling Lago Nordenskjold and offers broad views of the Cuernos of Paine, dramatic carved horns of black slate atop the gray-granite massif. Condors soar from their nests on the steep cliffs above. Arrive at Refugio Los Cuernos in the late afternoon in time to shower and settle in for the evening. Enjoy wine, a hot fresh meal, and camaraderie with other trekkers by the fire before retiring for the night.

Day 4 (Wednesday): Valle Francis

Hiking: 10 hours/12 miles, or 16 miles with extra hike
This morning trek along the shores of beautiful Lago Nordenskjold until reaching Campamento Italiano. From here, follow Rio Frances to Mirador del Frances, and cross a hanging bridge to an awe inspiring cirque high in the Paine Range with breathtaking vistas of the Frances Glacier and the lakes below. Add an additional 2 hour hike to Mirador Britanico from Mirador del Frances if you’re up for it! Upon returning to Campamento Italiano, hike through the undulating terrain of grassland and forest to overnight at Refugio Paine Grande near the short Pehoe Lake. Overnight at the refugio.

Day 5 (Thursday): Grey Glacier Lookout Trail

Hiking: 4 hours/7 miles
This morning we hike from Refugio Paine Grande to the northern end of Lago Grey. In the forests along the lake you are likely to spot the impressive Magellanic woodpecker. After a picnic lunch, board the boat and cross the sparkling lake to Grey Glacier, where ample time is spent observing the many faces of this active, calving glacier. At the end of the navigation, return to EcoCam Patagonia (30-45 minutes by van) for dinner and overnight.

Day 6 (Friday): Las Torres Trail, Valle Ascencio

Hiking: 10 hours/14 miles
This challenging, all-day hike ascends steeply up to Valle Ascencio to the base of the impressive granite massif where the iconic Towers of Paine rise from a glacial lake. The famous peaks of Las Torres (2900m/9400ft) consists of three granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice, wind and rain over the millennia. Weather permitting, enjoy your lunch perched above the turquoise glacial lake at the base of the Towers. Descend to overnight at EcoCamp Patagonia.

Day 7 (Saturday): Eastern Lakes Fauna Trail

Hiking: 3 hours/5 miles
This is easy and lovely day and one of the best opportunities to photography wildlife and the majority of the Paine Massif. Depart the EcoCamp by vehicle, driving first to the nearby eastern park area where you hike through beech forests at Laguna Azul and stop for lunch. In the afternoon trek among azure lakes and rolling Patagonian plains where herds of guanacos and many birds are found. Pumas are also spotted on occasion on the rocks overlooking the pampa, searching for guanacos to ambush. The final night we enjoy a festive farewell dinner or typical Patagonian lamb barbecue. Overnight at EcoCamp Patagonia.